The Pastoral Care and Education Team is here for you for support and advocacy. The team has recently been revitalized, so come back to this page often to find out what is new. Here are some resources and links you may find helpful, and do read this article from our Crossbeams newsletter introducing the team and how you can help.
We have started to add pastoral care resources to GLAD’s resource list.
Check out liturgical and pastoral care resources here.
Check out suicide prevention resources here.
And find support resources for your spiritual journey here.
And do send us your suggestions for resources to add to our list.
You can reach a member of the Pastoral Care and Education Team by calling (317) 721-9257.
For less immediate needs, you can email one of the members of the team:
Katy Valentine: katyvalentine@disciplesallianceq.org
Nicki Swindle: nickiswindle@disciplesallianceq.org
Erin McCreight: erinmccreight@disciplesallianceq.org
David Cobb davidcobb@disciplesallianceq.org”
Learn about Katy, Nicki, Erin, and David below.
You can find suicide hotlines and resources here.
Rev. Dr. Katy E. Valentine is a Disciples minister and a New Testament scholar. She is researching transgender and gender non-conforming (or better yet, “gender creative”) identities in light of the New Testament. Visit her website at www.transfriendlybible.blogspot.com to find out more. Currently, Katy is the Associate Minister at First Christian Church in Chico, CA and the Minister of Women’s Ministries (a trans women inclusive ministry) for the Christian Church Northern California-Nevada Region.
You can contact Katy at katyvalentine@disciplesallianceq.org
Nicki Arnold Swindle has been involved in progressive social justice activism and service for most of the past twenty years, though her heart has had a radical shift towards her calling of working to ensure the LGBTQ+ community feels welcome as part of the Body of Christ and has access to resources that promote healthy relationships. She is the spouse of a military veteran and mother to many, including six forever children. Nicki has a Bachelor of Arts in political science and is simultaneously working to finish her Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from Jacksonville State University in Alabama and her Master’s in Divinity (MDiv) from Asbury Theological Seminary. She spends most of her time between Anniston, Alabama, and Orlando, Florida. Nicki is a candidate for ordination in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Alabama-Northwest Florida region and a member of her local PFLAG. Nicki is hoping to have a bivocational ministry as a Family Life Minister and a military reserve component chaplain, as she feels we need more open and affirming communities within and outside of the military. She is currently working on her first book, The Rainbow Marriage, which is a guide for Christ-centered inclusive and affirming marriages and relationships.
You can contact Nicki at nickiswindle@disciplesallianceq.org
Rev. Erin McCreight is an ordained Disciples minister in OH, currently serving as Chaplain at Chapel Hill Retirement Community in Canal Fulton, OH. Erin attended Bowling Green State University with a degree in Sociology, and Vanderbilt Divinity School for her M. Div. She served in churches through several internships, field work, and volunteering; and has done 4 units of Clinical Pastoral Education. Her home congregation is the First Christian Church of Stow where she had been active as an elder, choir member, and worship team leader. Erin has a passion for pastoral care, community building and worship, and helping others seek wholeness and peace.
You can contact Erin at erinmccreight@disciplesallianceq.org
You can contact David at davidcobb@disciplesallianceq.org